Page 25 of His Weekend Wife

Ash had a strong urge to reach out to him, hold him in her arms, tell him how sorry she was that Angelina was gone, but that would only make this situation harder, more difficult. She wasn’t here to comfort him. She was here as a pretend wife. That’s all.

She didn’t want to share with Declan what Angelina had written in the letter. She’d asked Ash to one day forgive Declan for the hurt he’d caused her. That sometimes two people come together at the wrong time in life and fate brings them back when the stars align perfectly. Angelina was insightful and could always make a person feel, when they’d talked to her, that they’d met someone very special—someone who left a magical impression on one’s heart and mind. Of course, Angelina had no way of knowing that chance would bring Ash and Declan back together, but not for what his sister had hoped for. She had loved Declan, and all her brothers very much, and her legacy lived on in them and the love they had for her. Guilt plagued Ash. Her husband, a mere stranger at this point, would be hers again for thirty days. How awkward.

“I guess I should ask a few personal questions.” He scrubbed his jaw. “Is your mother doing well?”

“As great as can be expected. She’s living in an assisted living home. It’s not the greatest living situation, but for now, that’s what her insurance covers. I see her often and she seems happy.”

“And of course your sister is still up to the same antics, I’m sure.”

Ash wrapped her arms around her waist. “It would help if you could say the words without growling.”

“I’ll try better next time.”

She didn’t believe for a second that he meant his promise. She lifted her chin and straightened her spine. “Declan, I agreed wholeheartedly to this situation and I plan to give you thirty days. However, I’m a little vague on what is expected of me.”

He moved across the room as if he needed the space between them. “That is still a mystery. I myself am unclear what will come next. Is there a boyfriend that I need to be concerned with?” His gaze tapered.

“No, but what will your female following think of you being married? I’m sure that will put a dent in your game. All of those leggy blondes with large…assets.” Even she could detect the sarcasm in her tone.

One corner of his mouth lifted. “No need for jealousy, my dear. If any of them would have fit into this arrangement, they would have been here instead of you.”

“If I hadn’t shown up when I did, I do believe you’d have someone else standing here instead of me. Your ‘type’ had changed, I must say.”

He met her gaze. “If you hadn’t shown up when you did I would have lost a large business deal and regretting it for the rest of my life.” He turned and started for the doors.

“Where are we going now?” she asked as they retraced their steps down the hall.

“To your bedroom.”

Her heart dropped into her toes. He used ‘your’ instead of ‘our’ and she wasn’t sure she should be grateful or disappointed. This was why her being here was so wrong. Her mind and body were at a tug of war. Although she knew she couldn’t fall into his arms again without serious repercussions, she wasn’t sure when the time came and she was presented with an opportunity to warm his bed, that she could deny him, or her very hungry body. Who better to ease her womanly needs than her husband? The one man who’d been her lover—her only lover. Would he laugh at her if he knew she hadn’t been with anyone but him? No, he wouldn’t laugh. He would find great pleasure in knowing how dull her life was over the years.

She followed him up the stairs, her knees weak and her heart slamming hard against her ribcage. They stepped into the last bedroom.

The room was lit only by the soft light of a table lamp. The mahogany headboard seemed massive against one wall. A thick, red comforter covered the bed and a row of fluffy white pillows lined the top. The floor was covered in soft off-white carpet that made her want to take her shoes off before she entered. Floor to ceiling windows gave an amazing view over the city and she couldn’t wait to see it at dark with the twinkling lights.

“Is it to your liking?” he asked.

“The view is amazing.”

“Yes, it is.” He didn’t take his gaze off her.

Her knees knocked and she stood there, speechless, overwhelmed with the intensity of the situation. He must have sensed her perplexity because he stepped closer, reaching out and gliding his knuckles along her cheek. “You’re beautiful, bella. I never thought it possible, but more now than ever.”

She swallowed against the lump in her throat, feeling the heat from his body circling her like a satin cloud of promise. “Thank you.”

He chuckled as if she humored him. His hand drifted to her neck, his long, strong fingers slipping along the curve, over her collarbone, sending the strap of her dress down her shoulder. Why was he doing this to her? Did he enjoy bringing her to the edge of desire like some revengeful tactic? Why couldn’t she resist him?

He dipped his face closer and she anticipated his kiss, wanted his touch—more of him. She knew then, she couldn’t resist him if she tried.

“Please undress for me.” His husky, low voice riddled through her with the validity of a sweet drug.

Her lungs ached, realizing she wasn’t breathing. Breathe before you pass out. Sipping in heavenly air, she got a strong wave of his masculine scent and it nestled in her core, wetting her panties more. She could tell him “no”. He wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do, she was certain. Yet why didn’t rejection settle on her tongue? Instead, she took a step back, slid off her heels and pushed them to the side. Just as she suspected, the carpet was as soft as a cloud.

His eyes turned darker and her nipples beaded, her pussy throbbed as she realized what she was about to do…undress in front of her husband—her estranged husband. It had been years since a man had seen her naked, since he’d seen her naked. Nervousness and excitement mingled together, racing through her, causing her nipples to bud against her bra.

Unzipping the zipper at the side, the dress cascaded from her body until floating around her ankles. A cooler breeze swept across her skin, causing goosebumps to scatter her flesh, more from his pensive stare and not the air conditioning whirling through the vents.

She focused on him as she reached around and unhooked her bra. The thin, lavender lace drifted to the floor with the dress and she stood before him, her nipples pearled and she vetoed the need to cover herself from his view. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it well. His gaze turned scorching and she felt it seep into her skin, tickling every nerve ending.

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